Each year, the businesses located in Downtown Monticello have the opportunity to participate in “Treats on the Streets.” This is a safe trick-or-treat opportunity for families, generally the Thursday before Halloween. While families visit the Main Street businesses for treats for their little ones, businesses are also setup to show off new inventory and services.
ITS is not a Downtown business and we were looking for a way to participate in this Halloween fun.
Thus, the Monster Mile was created as a joint effort with the Monticello Public Library, the Monticello Chamber of Commerce and ITS in 2013.
Monster Mile participants dress in Halloween costumes and complete either a half-mile or one-mile run/walk just before Treats on the Streets. Participants receive a trick-or-treat bag from ITS, a book, pencil, bookmark and stickers from the Monticello Public Library, a granola bar from a library patron, and water from Culligan Total Water. The top three boy and girl finishers in the mile race also win a 3D-printed medallion, designed and created by ITS.
Race participants are encouraged to bring an item for our local food pantry as their entry fee; we are always able to make a substantial donation with these offerings! ITS employees and community volunteers line the course to cheer and guide runners, the Monticello Police Department provides an escort vehicle, and the City of Monticello provides barricades to briefly close streets during the Monster Mile. We look forward to running with more ghosts and goblins in 2018!